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My wife found a 2005 GMC Envoy for sale with some front driver's side damage and is asking if I think it is a good price for the work that it needs. It has just under 40k miles with heated seats, luggage rack, tow package, cd player and all the little goodies. It has a salvage title, but drives fine. From what I can tell the damage is purely cosmetic. I basically have a two-part question.

First, since you guys have a much better understanding of the costs involved with the Envoy, what would your estimate be for parts? I could repair it myself (less paint), but I haven't found a good source for parts yet so I can't get any reliable prices. It looks like the obvious, Drivers front fender, headlight, bumper cover, grill, inner fender, and sideskirt... but what am I missing?

Secondly, do you think this is a good buy? List price is $7,950, so I could probably get down around $7,500. Thanks for any help in advance. I am from the f-body crowd traditionally, so I am glad to be a part of another gm-based board. What a first post huh?

Premium Member

Welcome to the site!
I would haggle with them some on the price and maybe take it to a body shop for an estimate to see if they see something you missed.
If you don't buy it let me know. I wouldn't mind finding a new ride for my wife.

Banned

I am curious about the damage. From what I can see it shouldn't be too hard to repair..... which makes me wonder why it ended up with a salvage title. I would definately take it for a full estimate. I would suspect some hidden damage.

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If you do decide to take it, haggle them down to $5000 or don't take it at all. Don't, not even for a second feel guilty about that offer, they probably didn't even pay half that so the rest will be profit for them. :thumbsup:

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I am a bodyshop manager (former full time and present weekend tech) and know prices of repairs and salvage pretty well, and by seeing those pics that is not worth 7500 with a salvage title. My other concern is why did they total it because it dosent look too bad in the pics, but pics never show all of the damage. I bought my wife an 06 trailblazer ls ext with only 10,000 miles on it with a theft recovered salvage title for only 11,000 with no damage in 2007.

Northwest Chapter

Im with the others, tell em 5k or you're walking. With a salvage title make sure you check with your insurance to see if they will insure it and/or credit union/band to make sure you can get financing.

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Sounds suspicious... How come they totaled the vehicle for cosmetic damage ?
Not a car dealer but if it was only cosmetic why not repair and resell ?
Sounds to me there more going on than there telling you :no:

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A total loss is determined by cost of repairing the car in relation to what the car is worth, not wether its cosmetic damage or not. If the car was worth 10,000 (example) the ins co will usually only pay out up to a certain percentage of the cars value. By the pictures it looks like somebody already did some suspension work on the left front. The hit goes all around the tire and it looks pretty straight now. Price out the parts and paint labor before making the purchase to see if it works for you, but in my opinion you could spend only a little more and get a car with a clean title ready to drive.

Banned

A total loss is determined by cost of repairing the car in relation to what the car is worth, not wether its cosmetic damage or not. If the car was worth 10,000 (example) the ins co will usually only pay out up to a certain percentage of the cars value. By the pictures it looks like somebody already did some suspension work on the left front. The hit goes all around the tire and it looks pretty straight now. Price out the parts and paint labor before making the purchase to see if it works for you, but in my opinion you could spend only a little more and get a car with a clean title ready to drive.

:iagree:Have a thorough estimate of all work needed to restore it to proper running condition. Insurance only covers as much as they see fit based on many factors. That truck books for $17k. Assuming the seller is trying to make a quick buck, he picked it up for $5k from the insurance and wants to make $2000-2500 on the deal which is why he is asking so much. Either way, that means the truck requires $12000 in repairs as estimated to restore it to pre accident specs. Sure, you can save some of that by doing work yourself, but the makes the worst case expectation to pay $20000 for a $17000 vehicle. That is just a slightly educated guess, though.

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looks to me there is probably damage underneath thats why the spares are on the back, the front tires might have gone flat and they are tryin to throw you off. i would say the front driver side suspension is gonna need replaced just from lookin at it but you probably won't know till its on an alignment rack. seems awefully pricey! i would steer clear of any salvage because of resale value, ten years ago salvage autos were worth buying but now you can buy a good used vehicle for cheap.

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If this deal does not work out and the seller won't come down, I wouldn't buy it.

But, I would continue to look for an Envoy, Trailblazer, Ascender, Ranier, 9-7x, or Bravada (all of which are commonly referred to as "Trailvoys"). My mom drove her Envoy for 5 years before handing it off to me and it has been an awesome car. It still rides smooth, has lots of power on tap (maybe cause of my CAI ), can tow with ease, and can carry a bunch of people. I would certainly keep looking for another one if this doesn't work out because if you're in the market for a mid-size SUV at a reasonable price, this is the car for you.

If it was me buying, I would be looking for an Envoy Denali or a Trailblazer SS, but that's just me. :thumbsup:

So I drive a 2006 LT and it has the headlights "without" the notch for the grill bar. I'm looking everywhere I can think of for some good looking updated headlights for her and unless I want to convert to the bar style grill there's no options. Anybody have a good site recommendation?

If you're anything like me you like doing things yourself; cheaply, and efficiently.
Doing vehicle mods cheaply requires knowing EXACTLY what you need and how to install it.
When it comes to replacing stock Trailvoy bulbs with LED, there is a TON of disinformation floating around the internet...

I wanted to remove my side steps and i pull pass side complete assembly and stood back and it does not look good. Has holes and does not look complete. Do i need side skirts from a lower model envoy to fill the space or what. From reading i had done i thought i could just pull it off and go...